The weekend’s junior soccer.
BOYLE Celtic, fresh from their success in the FAI Junior Cup were back in action in The Great Southern Hotel Sligo, Super League at home to the rejuvenated Yeats United.
Boyle may well feel that they have used up another of their nine lives with the only goal of the game from the polished Michael Corrigan keeping Boyle Celtic on track for a trophy laden season. But make no mistake Yeats United made them fight all the way and they are still a few twists in turns to come in the season.
Strand Celtic journeyed to the Bee Park Manorhamilton to take on Leitrim Kingpins Manor Rangers in their own back yard.
Donagh Oates, who played as a leading striker all of his career made his debut in goals and by all accounts had a remarkable game.
However, Manor are a force to be reckoned with this season so what a game we had. Colm Callinan gave Manor the lead and Glen McCormack levelled for Strand leaving the sides all square at half time. Seamus Ryder fired Manor ahead and young Matthew Oates again drew Strand Level.
Manor took the lead again courtesy of Alan Hickey and Strand from the penalty spot levelled the game at three goals each thanks to the cool head of Ryan Mc Manus.
Ten minutes remaining and Strand Celtic looked odds on to take at least a point but then up stepped Paddy Woulfe to rifle home the fourth goal for Manor with Seamus Ryder putting the cherry on the cake with the fifth goal that wrapped up the points for Manor but both teams have to be congratulated on a cracker of a game.
Calry Bohs welcomed young guns Ballisodare United to Hazelwood and Calry eventually won the battle by the odd goal in seven.
This was a belter of an encounter. Gearoid Keaney put Calry ahead on 20 minutes and Ronan Sweeney, who netted a superb hat trick, equalised on 35 minutes.
Ten minutes into the second half and Calry moved ahead with a goal from Eoin Doherty and 20 minutes later current International Conor Griffin headed home the third goal for Calry.
Ballisodare responded with two further strikes from Ronan Sweeney that drew Ballisodare level but seven minutes from time Conor Griffin powered home a glorious header to take the points for a jubilant Calry Bohs.
This was a fantastic display by both sides and Ballisodare United will bounce back even stronger next week when they take on Boyle Celtic.
Glenview Stars, without a win all season, entertained Ballymote Celtic at Forthill and gave a good account of themselves.
The Big Man Gino O’Boyle scored twice with a third from Darren Melly for Stars.
However, the hitman Mark Irwin also netted two for Ballymote Celtic and he was aided and abetted with a goal each from Shane Regan, Jack Hever and Dessie Flynn that insured the points and seventh place on the leader board this weekend.
The Andrew Mullen Sligo Pallets Premier keeps the pulse racing. Cliffoney Celtic at home to leaders Ballygawley Celtic took some damage when goals from Ross Mc Loughlin, Oisin Gilmartin and Paul Flanagan captured three glorious points for Ballygawley while Niall Thomas scored the only goal for Cliffoney Celtic.
The result although disappointing for the north Sligo kingpins is only a temporary glitch and they are still in with a massive shout for silverware.
MCR were at home in Sean Fallon Park to high flying Carrick Town with only a win enough to keep them on track for honours.
But they delivered in style with the only goal of the game coming on 60 minutes from the rampant Ciaran Harvey.
MCR won this well despite having Joe Cobbe sent off and the win puts them in second spot of the leader board.
The Town will be annoyed with themselves for letting this one slip but they will still determine who will win this most competitive of titles.
The Cleary Landscapes & Pitch Maintenance Division One seen a remarkable display by Gurteen Celtic at home to high flying Coolaney United.
David Sheppard was Hero and Villain for Gurteen giving them the lead from the penalty spot on twenty minutes only to see Alan Duggan score a brilliant equaliser for Coolaney ten minutes before half time and then David Sheppard got his marching orders.
The second half saw Gurteen with all hands on deck playing with a man less and Coolaney looked favourites to clinch this one but Gurteen dug deep and twenty minutes from time Michael Doddy steered a left footed effort into the back of the Coolaney net that claimed all three points in a superb encounter.
Chaffpool United brought neighbours Real Tubber down to earth with a bang.
The Pool were two goals ahead at the interval with a goal each from Damien Watters and Kieran Doddy.
Real Tubber showed their pedigree with a second half performance that seen Fergal Mc Donagh score twice once from the penalty spot that wrapped up a vital point that keeps Real Tubber in the hunt for honours.
Dromore Villa journeyed to Grange for their game against Benbulben who proved to be just too strong for the Villa. Johnny Herron, Anthony Moylette and Trevor Brennan on target for Benbulben while Conor Gordon netted the only goal for a very hard working Villa side.